Ex-African Leaders Stress Need to Accelerate Integration, Tech Sovereignty

Former Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn, ex-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, and Namibian official Kaire Mbuende addressed the 12th Tana High-Level Forum in Bahir Dar on Africa's future. The leaders emphasized that continental integration and technological sovereignty are essential for economic security and global influence. Hailemariam warned that delays in implementing agreements like the AfCFTA leave Africa vulnerable to external pressures and conflicts, urging leaders to move from signing treaties to concrete actions. Goodluck Jonathan stressed that true economic independence requires technological independence, noting that reliance on foreign expertise and imports hinders industrialization. He urged investment in research-intensive education similar to models in India and South Korea. Kaire Mbuende concluded that Africa's collective strength relies on building strong individual national institutions and regional organizations.